jogging in bike paths

**btownsteve** · 10-06-2012, 10:19 AM

o.k. or not o.k.?

**JakeL** · 10-06-2012, 02:48 PM

I'm a biker and a runner, so I've been on both sides. If you're going to run in the bike paths, run against traffic and please hop up on the sidewalk as soon as you see a cyclist coming down. I don't mind joggers using the bike paths, I understand the sidewalks can be rough to run on, but first priority goes to cyclists.

Having just run a half marathon and putting in some decent mileage, I've found very little need to run in the bike lanes. Typically I'd run north-south routes, with Center City being the least fun place to run because of all the people. Once you get outside Center City, running in the bike lanes shouldn't be necessary.

**JakeL** · 10-06-2012, 02:49 PM

Oh and welcome to Philadelphia Speaks, judging by your handle, are you in Brewerytown?

**BarryG** · 10-06-2012, 03:18 PM

Not ok

**OffenseTaken** · 10-06-2012, 04:35 PM

It's a dick move at rush hour. Otherwise, as long as they stay near the curb and I can overtake them without weaving into auto traffic, I don't really care.

**btownsteve** · 10-06-2012, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by JakeL

Oh and welcome to Philadelphia Speaks, judging by your handle, are you in Brewerytown?

Thanx for the info and the welcome. And yes, in Brewerytown.

**2happy4u** · 10-07-2012, 10:06 AM

Now you know how drivers feel when bikes ride in the middle of the street at 4 MPH. Yes A DICK move

**Volanova** · 10-07-2012, 11:58 AM

If, as mentioned above, you run against the flow of traffic and move to the sidewalk whenever you see a bike, then I don't see the issue. Don't go running down a bike lane with headphones on though or going with the flow of traffic so that you can't see or hear if you're being overtaken by a bike.

**OffenseTaken** · 10-07-2012, 03:23 PM

To be honest, I'd rather they run with traffic. If I'm going 14 mph on my bike and a runner is going 7 in the same direction, I know well ahead of time what's happening, which—if it's during the 22 hours a day that the bike lanes are pretty much empty anyway—is not a big deal.

**bradley** · 10-08-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by 2happy4u

Now you know how drivers feel when bikes ride in the middle of the street at 4 MPH. Yes A DICK move

Chill. Bikes aren't allowed on sidewalks. No bikes ride 4MPH, which is roughly walking speed. Seek counseling if the thought of sharing the roads with tax-paying cyclist makes you feel so angry. Also, Philly just passed a 4-foot-clearance law, so you will probably have to respect our space for the indefinite future, or take your chances. When I ride in the middle of the lane, I'm probably not slowing you down. Just slowing your approach to that red light up ahead.

I don't mind runners in the bike lane. I'd prefer it if they ran against the flow of traffic, so we can see each other.

**notatouron** · 10-08-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by bradley

Philly just passed a 4-foot-clearance law, so you will probably have to respect our space for the indefinite future, or take your chances. When I ride in the middle of the lane, I'm probably not slowing you down. Just slowing your approach to that red light up ahead.

It is a Pennsylvania state law. In additon to requiring four feet of passing clearance, the law makes it illegal for bicycles to ride in the middle of the lane, instead they must stay to the right, and it also prohibits bicycles from obstructing the flow of traffic.

**BarryG** · 10-08-2012, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by notatouron

It is a Pennsylvania state law. In additon to requiring four feet of passing clearance, the law makes it illegal for bicycles to ride in the middle of the lane, instead they must stay to the right, and it also prohibits bicycles from obstructing the flow of traffic.

Not true, on single lane roads, bikes may use any portion of the road and can ride on the left. On multilane roads bikes just need to stay in the right lane, not to the right of traffic. Also bicyclists explicitly CANNOT be cited for obstructing traffic under the law.

**notatouron** · 10-08-2012, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

Not true, on single lane roads, bikes may use any portion of the road and can ride on the left. On multilane roads bikes just need to stay in the right lane, not to the right of traffic. Also bicyclists explicitly CANNOT be cited for obstructing traffic under the law.

Point taken about the exception for single-lane roads. I did not know about the no-citation provision. The only language I saw on that point was "A pedalcycle operator shall use reasonable efforts so as not to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic." Did I miss something in the statute?

**PhilaCap** · 10-08-2012, 02:53 PM

roads are for cars, not bikes, so unless it's got a bike lane stay off it

and there's no such thing as a jogger lane, so go find a park to run around in.

**BarryG** · 10-08-2012, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by notatouron

Point taken about the exception for single-lane roads. I did not know about the no-citation provision. The only language I saw on that point was "A pedalcycle operator shall use reasonable efforts so as not to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic." Did I miss something in the statute?

PennDOT's bike safety tips: Traffic Safety Information Center | Bicycle And Pedestrian Safety | Just Drive PA, PA's Safe Driving Resource
Click the "Bicycle Laws, Safety Tips" link.

**thoth** · 10-08-2012, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by 2happy4u

Now you know how drivers feel when bikes ride in the middle of the street at 4 MPH. Yes A DICK move

Sounds like a great argument for more bike lanes!

**Volanova** · 10-08-2012, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by PhilaCap

roads are for cars, not bikes, so unless it's got a bike lane stay off it

and there's no such thing as a jogger lane, so go find a park to run around in.

Actually, no, legally speaking, bikes have the same rights, rules and responsibilities as cars, and there are laws that protect cyclists on the roads. Unfortunately, many cyclists and drivers alike are either unaware of these rules or just disregard them.

As for the second statement...I don't even know how to respond to that.

**Eastcoast** · 10-08-2012, 05:21 PM

I think jogging in the bike lane is fine so long as you're not getting in my way when I'm parking in the bike lane.

Man that would really cheese me off.

**supersupper** · 10-08-2012, 05:34 PM

I have encountered this more than a few times, and have been wondering about this and watching tho comments roll in.

The only reason a jogger uses the bike lane rather than the sidewalk is for their own convenience.

Joggers seem to be making a grab for rights to use the lanes without any collaboration with the organizations that made the bike lanes possible via a general consensus. If joggers want to use the bike lanes, and local jogger organizations agree its a good thing, then they should get involved in planning and putting forth safety procedures on how to run in the bike lanes. There are, after all, rules that allow cars in bike lanes under certain conditions, but no rules regarding joggers.

Until a set of safety rules are agreed upon by all involved, "Bike Lanes" are for bikes only- not cars, scooters, pedestrians, skateboarders, or joggers.

If you jog in a bike lane you do so at your own risk, you are a safety hazard to everyone, and you put bikers who legally use the bike lanes at risk of serious injury to themselves.

NO.

**Eastcoast** · 10-08-2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by supersupper

I have encountered this more than a few times, and have been wondering about this and watching tho comments roll in.

The only reason a jogger uses the bike lane rather than the sidewalk is for their own convenience.

Joggers seem to be making a grab for rights to use the lanes without any collaboration with the organizations that made the bike lanes possible via a general consensus. If joggers want to use the bike lanes, and local jogger organizations agree its a good thing, then they should get involved in planning and putting forth safety procedures on how to run in the bike lanes. There are, after all, rules that allow cars in bike lanes under certain conditions, but no rules regarding joggers.

Until a set of safety rules are agreed upon by all involved, "Bike Lanes" are for bikes only- not cars, scooters, pedestrians, skateboarders, or joggers.

If you jog in a bike lane you do so at your own risk, you are a safety hazard to everyone, and you put bikers who legally use the bike lanes at risk of serious injury to themselves.

NO.

Jogging is more green than biking therefore I feel that they should have full and preferred usage of the bike lanes, especially those running with double jogging strollers. Three humans propelled at the environmental expense of one pair of sneakers trumps the wealthy fat cats sitting on their expensive bicycles IMO.